Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no Brexit outcome that will be good for Ireland or the EU. I welcome the withdrawal agreement ratified in Brussels. It represents the best way forward from the point of view of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland and for protecting the Good Friday Agreement. I also welcome the unfailing support for the Irish position shown by the other 26 EU member states. A vote will take place in the House of Commons on December 11. I am conscious we should not say anything on this side of the water to interfere in that process. I guess the Taoiseach does not want to say anything about the legal advice to the UK Government on the Brexit deal, which was just published.

We are in for a period of uncertainty. It is clear there is no plan B under consideration, so uncertainty prevails. It would seem we are in for a rocky road ahead or we certainly could be. Are we prepared for Brexit? Are we prepared for all eventualities and scenarios? Are we upgrading our ports and airports? Are we providing sufficient supports to businesses and SMEs to be Brexit ready? We now have the withdrawal agreement. The future relationship will have to be negotiated. Is Ireland actively engaged in preparing for these new negotiations on the future relationship? What work has been done in that regard in the context of working with the European Commission?

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